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Ariz. tries for foliage crown, to Vt.’s chagrin

Associated Press

Aug 26 2013 9:06 pm

ap photo/Arizona highways
This cover image provided by the Arizona Highways magazine shows the October issue.

MONTPELIER, Vt. — This fight has its peaks and valleys.

Vermont officials are rushing to the defense of one of the state’s most cherished icons, the red-, orange- and gold-hued fall foliage that tops trees and mountains, after an Arizona magazine claimed the fall colors are better there.

The cover of the October issue of Arizona Highways magazine shows a waterfall surrounded by golden foliage and the headline “Autumn in Arizona and why it’s better than it is in Vermont.”

Not to be outdone in the battle to draw leaf peepers, Vermont Life magazine quickly produced an all-in-fun cover mocking the claim. It has a photo of a local attraction, the Quechee Gorge, and the headline “Gorges in Vermont and why the Quechee Gorge is grander than the Grand Canyon.”

Enlarge FILE- This Sept. 16, 2009, file photo, shows early foliage by The Old Meeting House in East Montpelier, Vt. Vermont officials are rushing to the defense of one of the stateís most cherished icons, fall foliage, after an Arizona magazine claimed the fall colors in the Grand Canyon state are better than the Green Mountains after they have turned red, gold and orange. The cover of the October edition of the magazine Arizona Highways shows a picturesque scene of a bucolic waterfall surrounded by golden foliage while carrying the headline ìAutumn in Arizona & Why itís better than it is in Vermont.î (AP Photo/Toby Talbot, File)

FILE- This Sept. 16, 2009, file photo, shows early foliage by The Old Meeting House in East Montpelier, Vt. Vermont officials are rushing to the defense of one of the stateís most cherished icons, fall foliage, after an Arizona magazine claimed the fall colors in the Grand Canyon state are better than the Green Mountains after they have turned red, gold and orange. The cover of the October edition of the magazine Arizona Highways shows a picturesque scene of a bucolic waterfall surrounded by golden foliage while carrying the headline ìAutumn in Arizona & Why itís better than it is in Vermont.î (AP Photo/Toby Talbot, File)

Enlarge FILE- In this Sept. 12, 2012, file photo, a red leaf hangs from a tree in Greensboro, Vt. Vermont officials are rushing to the defense of one of the stateís most cherished icons, fall foliage, after an Arizona magazine claimed the fall colors in the Grand Canyon state are better than the Green Mountains after they have turned red, gold and orange. The cover of the October edition of the magazine Arizona Highways shows a picturesque scene of a bucolic waterfall surrounded by golden foliage while carrying the headline ìAutumn in Arizona & Why itís better than it is in Vermont. (AP Photo/Toby Talbot, File)

FILE- In this Sept. 12, 2012, file photo, a red leaf hangs from a tree in Greensboro, Vt. Vermont officials are rushing to the defense of one of the stateís most cherished icons, fall foliage, after an Arizona magazine claimed the fall colors in the Grand Canyon state are better than the Green Mountains after they have turned red, gold and orange. The cover of the October edition of the magazine Arizona Highways shows a picturesque scene of a bucolic waterfall surrounded by golden foliage while carrying the headline ìAutumn in Arizona & Why itís better than it is in Vermont. (AP Photo/Toby Talbot, File)

Enlarge FILE- In this October 1998 file photo, a farmer chops corn in front of a hillside of color in Richmond, Vt. Vermont officials are rushing to the defense of one of the stateís most cherished icons, fall foliage, after an Arizona magazine claimed the fall colors in the Grand Canyon state are better than the Green Mountains after they have turned red, gold and orange. The cover of the October edition of the magazine Arizona Highways shows a picturesque scene of a bucolic waterfall surrounded by golden foliage while carrying the headline ìAutumn in Arizona & Why itís better than it is in Vermont.î (AP Photo/Toby Talbot, File)

FILE- In this October 1998 file photo, a farmer chops corn in front of a hillside of color in Richmond, Vt. Vermont officials are rushing to the defense of one of the stateís most cherished icons, fall foliage, after an Arizona magazine claimed the fall colors in the Grand Canyon state are better than the Green Mountains after they have turned red, gold and orange. The cover of the October edition of the magazine Arizona Highways shows a picturesque scene of a bucolic waterfall surrounded by golden foliage while carrying the headline ìAutumn in Arizona & Why itís better than it is in Vermont.î (AP Photo/Toby Talbot, File)

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